Units 12 and 4 - Classical Theatre - End of Unit Marks

Post MEDEA Blog Review 17 / 12 / 13 NOT Final Grades

Student: Megan Ring	Blog Review: December 2013
Criteria that have been MET are highlighted in GREEN Criteria that have been ALMOST MET are highlighted in YELLOW Criteria that are NOT YET MET are highlighted in PINK
Unit 12: Classical Theatre Performance
Assessment and grading criteria	Feedback and questions to help you meet the grading criteria
1: Social, Historical and Cultural background - MERIT
PASS 1 discuss the social, historical and cultural background of classical roles	Your Elizabethan research discusses this, but I would like to see more evidence of research into what the Painters would have seen on their trips to the Theatre, which was in the notoriously rough district of Southwark. Your work on the Greek Theatre is excellent and provides good cultural background. You need to now focus on the social and historical elements.
MERIT 1 explain the social, historical and cultural background of classical roles	What would Elizabethan audiences have thought of the characters and themes in Shakespeare’s plays. Use the task where you have to compare three modern productions with how they would have been done in Shakespeare’s time.
DISTINCTION 1 analyse the social, historical and cultural background of classical roles	Give examples from research that show in detail how Elizabethan audiences lived.
2: Research and Analysis – DISTINCTION
PASS 2 use research and analysis to develop performance style of classical roles in rehearsals	Create rehearsal diaries that chart HOW your research and analysis into Elizabethan society and theatre have affected your characterisation. Talk about vocal and movement skills used when portraying Ariel and Mrs. Painter. Justify your choices by showing that you have researched into these roles.
MERIT 2 apply skilful responses to research and analysis in rehearsal	You DID actually achieve skilful responses in your development of Ariel, but there is not enough evidence of this in your blog.
DISTINCTION 2 apply imaginative, disciplined and skilful responses to research and analysis in rehearsal	You DID actually show discipline, skill and imagination in your responses in rehearsal, but there is no evidence of this in your blog.
3: Developing Roles – DISTINCTION
PASS 3 develop contrasting classical roles through rehearsal with tutor support	Create rehearsal diaries discussing the practical exercises that helped you find your character of Ariel (“Spaces of the Mind”)
MERIT 3 develop two contrasting classical roles through rehearsal with some tutor support
DISTINCTION 3 develop imaginative and creative interpretations of two contrasting classical roles through self-disciplined approaches to rehearsal	You DID show good discipline in rehearsals, and your interpretation was imaginative and creative, but there is no evidence of it in your blog. A rehearsal diary is needed that shows the developments you made independently of tutor support – such as the movement work you did with Beth.
4: Performing Classical Texts - DISTINCTION
PASS 4 perform classical texts using appropriate vocal and movement skills to communicate the role.	Evidenced on video of performance
MERIT 4 perform classical texts using appropriate vocal and movement skills in a considered way, to communicate the role confidently.
DISTINCTION 4 perform classical texts using appropriate vocal and movement skills to communicate the character creatively, inventively and assuredly.	In your “Tempest Evaluation” give specific examples from the performance that show when you were creative, inventive and assured, with appropriate vocal and movement skills.
Unit 4: Historical Context of Performance
Assessment and grading criteria	Feedback
1: Background Context of Performance Material - MERIT
PASS 1 outline the background context of performance material, providing some research findings	Your Elizabethan research outlines some background context. Your work on the Greek Theatre is at a more appropriate level.
MERIT 1 explain the background context of performance material, providing detailed research findings	Annotate the history timeline. Update the Mrs. Painter section to show that you have looked in detail at life in a country house in the Elizabethan era. (no pianos!)
DISTINCTION 1 provide a comprehensive account of the background context of performance material, providing detailed research findings	To make your research comprehensive I need to see things that show: Size and shape of typical Greek Theatre Discussion of other Ariel-like characters from play of the time What did the themes of The Tempest mean to Elizabethan audience (use comparison table task to meet this criteria)
2: Performance Material Contextualised for Contemporary Use – MERIT
PASS 2 describe how performance material is contextualised for contemporary use	Use the “Macbeth on the Estate” task and complete the task about finding 3 examples of a modern production. The Lion King is an excellent start, but there is not enough detail.
MERIT 2 explain how performance material is contextualised for contemporary use
DISTINCTION 2 comprehensively explain how performance material is contextualised for contemporary use	Talk about Henry V and Medea that we saw in London
3: Communicating Result of Research – DISTINCTION
PASS 3 communicate the results of research.	Your Greek Theatre research is communicated well.
MERIT 3 communicate the results of research effectively in an imaginative and coherent manner.	Good use of a mixture of diagrams and quotes. Good referencing – make sure all of your sources are listed though, not just the ones you have directly quoted from.
DISTINCTION 3 communicate the results of research in an informed, highly articulate and creative manner.	Photographs of your annotated script, showing how your research has been reflected in your acting choices (i.e.: In Elizabethan times, Ariel would have been played by a man, or boy. We chose to make Ariel a “she” to better reflect gender roles as we think they will be in the future.)
Overall Grade: PASS Megan – at the moment, this averages out as a PASS, though as there are several criteria that haven’t been met yet, if this was your final blog, you would not pass. I advise that you spend a minimum of three hours per week on your blog in order to bring it up to date. I strongly believe that you are capable of a DISTINCTION in these units because: You are good at research, as evidenced by your work on Greek Theatre You are an excellent actor, using appropriate vocal and movement skills to communicate roles to an audience Your performances and responses in rehearsal show a deep understanding of the background of Classical Theatre roles. You soak up complicated information brilliantly, and you show in your practical work, in rehearsal and performance, that you are retaining that information. Unfortunately, “doing” isn’t enough for these units. You must show us evidence of your process in your blog, discussing in detail what you have done and why you have done it.